Free screening available for anxiety disorders

April 6, 2003

KALAMAZOO -- With the nation's military forces at war in Iraq
and terrorist alerts on high, it seems this would be an appropriate
time to feel anxious, but for millions of Americans, anxiety
doesn't come and go according to world events. It holds an ever-present
grip on their lives.

To help those who may be suffering from anxiety disorders,
the Western Michigan University School of Social Work and Counseling
and Testing Center are again taking part in National Anxiety
Disorders Screening Day Wednesday, April 16.

A free program and screening is being offered from noon to1
p.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Brown and Gold Room--Room 242--of
the Bernhard Center to help individuals learn about anxiety disorders,
their symptoms and effective treatments. The program includes
a video, information about anxiety disorders and other mental
illnesses, a screening questionnaire, consultation with a mental
health professional to review the questionnaire and a referral
for help if necessary.

More than 38 million Americans of all ages, races and economic
backgrounds suffer from anxiety and depressive disorders. Many
highly successful businessmen, professionals and even big-name
entertainers can be incapacitated by anxiety and depression.
Such celebrities as Naomi Judd and Kim Bassinger, have suffered
from depression, have experienced the benefits of receiving effective
treatment and have chosen to speak about their illnesses.

Symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders include constant
worrying, fear of social situations, anticipation of panic attacks,
feeling sad or "blue," difficulty sleeping or concentrating,
and frequent headaches for no apparent reason.

Sometimes symptoms of anxiety and depression are ignored or
misinterpreted. Symptoms may be mistaken for another medical
illness, people are afraid or ashamed to seek treatment, or they
may not know enough about anxiety and depressive disorders to
realize that they could benefit from treatment.

"As a person who suffered enormously from anxiety and
depression, I want to share with people that life can be better,"
says Mary Guardino, founder of National Anxiety Disorders Screening
Day. "Treatment works."

For additional information and to register, if possible, please
call (269) 387-3193.